The History of the BallPark Restaurant

The ground the BallPark Restaurant is built on once was a baseball field used by the Susquehanna Semi-Professional Baseball League. According to aberdeen.patch.com, “The Susquehanna Baseball League began in 1920, but it wasn’t formally organized until 1946.” The Susquehanna League started with 6 teams from Bel Air, Aberdeen and Havre de Grace. Of these teams, the Aberdeen Canners are one of the more memorable. During the eight-year streak of the Susquehanna League, also known as the “Suskie League,” the Canners were the only team to play during every season. The Suskie League became part of the All American Amateur Baseball Association (AAABA), which was founded by Glen L. Martin in 1944. According to aberdeen.patch.com, “At the time, the Aberdeen Canners were considered to be a Class D team, which is today’s equivalent of a lower Class A team.” In 1948, Kenneth Montgomery opened the BallPark Restaurant and ran it until January 5, 1981. On this day, Stanley and Hilda Montgomery, and Orva McCumbers bought the restaurant. A little over two years later on March 31, 1983, Loren and Vonnie Wadell bought the restaurant. The business then changed hands again on July 29, 1989 when Joy Frederick purchased it. While Frederick was the owner, she kept the spirit of baseball alive within the restaurant by lining the walls with bits and pieces of baseball memorabilia. Along with keeping the baseball spirit alive, Frederick has personalized the BallPark with homemade traditional foods and multiple additions to the building. In 1992 she added on the counter section of the dining room, in 1996 she added to the kitchen and office and in 2007 she added on the lobby. On January 1, 2014, the current owner, Joe Weiman, Frederick’s son and employee of 25 years, took over. While Weiman plans to keep the homemade traditional foods and classic baseball spirit alive, he also plans to incorporate football into the scene with memorabilia and autograph signings. Already, Weiman has brought, Jacoby Jones, Torrey Smith, Courtney Upshaw, Kamar Aiken, Lorenzo Talliferro and Steve Smith Sr. to BallPark. Check in to see who’s next!